Dr. David Schwartz specializes in adult cardiology and adult pulmonology. His areas of expertise include the following: coronary angioplasty (PTCA), diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and carotid artery disease. He is affiliated with Legacy Heart Center, the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), and the University Physicians. Dr. Schwartz studied medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Medicine and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. Dr. Schwartz trained at Boston Medical Center for his residency. Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Schwartz honors. He has received professional recognition including the following: Texas Super Doctors.

Dr. Thomas Waller sees patients in Plano, TX. His medical specialties are adult cardiology and interventional cardiology. These areas are among his clinical interests: coronary angiogram, intensive care, and coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Dr. Waller is affiliated with Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, and Cardiovascular Consultants. He is a graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. He has an open panel.

Dr. Manuel Cruz is a physician who specializes in adult cardiology and interventional cardiology. These areas are among his clinical interests: heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), and chest pain. He honors Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare Choice, United Healthcare HSA, and more. Dr. Cruz is a graduate of Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Cruz is conversant in Spanish. His professional affiliations include Baylor Scott & White Health and Advanced Heart Care.

Dr. Sarah Samaan's area of specialization is adult cardiology. The average patient rating for Dr. Samaan is 5.0 stars out of 5. These areas are among her clinical interests: coronary angioplasty (PTCA), diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and cardioversion. Dr. Samaan is affiliated with Legacy Heart Center. She is an in-network provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold, as well as other insurance carriers. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Dr. Samaan has received the distinction of Texas Super Doctors. Dr. Samaan is conversant in Spanish.

Dr. Marc Shalek is an adult cardiology specialist. Dr. Shalek is a graduate of New York Medical College. His areas of expertise include the following: stent placement (stenting), coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and diagnostic cardiac catheterization. He accepts several insurance carriers, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold. Dr. Shalek has received professional recognition including the following: Texas Super Doctors. He speaks Spanish. He is professionally affiliated with Legacy Heart Center.

Dr. Samuel Woolbert specializes in adult cardiology. These areas are among Dr. Woolbert's clinical interests: coronary angioplasty (PTCA), diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and cardioversion. He is professionally affiliated with Legacy Heart Center. He is an in-network provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold, and more. Dr. Woolbert studied medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport. He has received the following distinction: Texas Super Doctors.

Dr. Philip Morales is a physician who specializes in adult cardiology and interventional cardiology. Areas of expertise for Dr. Morales include coronary angioplasty (PTCA), diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and cardioversion. Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Morales accepts. He studied medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. For his residency, Dr. Morales trained at a hospital affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is affiliated with Legacy Heart Center.

Dr. Marcus McKenzie specializes in adult cardiology and practices in Plano, TX. Areas of expertise for Dr. McKenzie include coronary angioplasty (PTCA), diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and cardioversion. He is affiliated with Legacy Heart Center. He accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold, as well as other insurance carriers. Before performing his residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Dr. McKenzie attended the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine.

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What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a progressive disease where the heart muscle isn’t able to pump as effectively as it needs to. When a patient has heart failure, not enough blood is reaching the cells of the body to supply needed amounts of oxygen.

At the onset of heart failure, the body compensates for the reduced blood flow by enlarging the heart muscle, making the heart beat faster, or narrowing the blood vessels to increase blood pressure. Because the body is so adept at compensating for the early stages of heart failure, many people do not notice symptoms until they have been sick for some time. This is one reason annual check-ups are important, especially if you have any risk factors for heart disease. Symptoms a person might feel as heart failure progresses include fatigue, breathlessness, a rapid heartbeat, or swelling in the feet and legs.

A doctor can check for heart failure using blood tests, x-rays, an electrocardiogram, or an exercise stress test. If heart failure is diagnosed, lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, exercise, sodium restriction, and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes are recommended in order to protect the heart. There are a large number of medications on the market that used to treat heart failure, in several different classes. Some of these are ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and statin drugs. Although it’s not as common, surgery will sometimes be recommended for heart failure, for example if a patient needs a transplant or bypass surgery.